Ralph Lee Hurley

Ralph Lee Hurley, 85, most recently from Brunswick, Georgia but raised in Santa Cruz, California, passed away from this earth on March 28, 2022.

Ralph’s life was one of adventure, travel, love, and duty to country. He served in the United States Navy from 1955 – 1973 retiring as a full Chief. He served one tour of Korea and two tours of Vietnam specializing in avionics and helicopter crew training.

While in the Navy, Ralph continued his love of cars and motors by becoming a competitive dirt track race car driver in the Memphis, Tennessee area. He won and placed in multiple races earning a reputation as a solid driver, mechanic, as well as a paint and body expert.

After retiring from the Navy, Ralph relocated his family to St. Simons Island, Georgia where he started his second career in aviation sales. This new direction in his life allowed he and his family the great opportunity to live in a variety of places including Miami, FL, Oklahoma City, OK, Kansas City, KS, Titusville, FL, Big Sky, MT, Branson, MO, Starkville, MS, and Brunswick, GA. Ralph flew thousands of hours in small private planes as well as helicopters and even survived a crash into the Okefenokee Swamp. He was fearless.

Ralph is preceded in death by his wife Judith K. Hurley and parents Jack & Laura Hurley. He leaves behind daughters Susan Bates, Leeann (Chuck) Page, Diane (Garret) Powers and a son, Rick Hurley. Ralph has two surviving brothers, Mike (Sandra) Hurley, and Pat (Dee) Hurley. He was fortunate in life to have three stepchildren, Jarrad Newell (Deanna), Kelly Brazeal (Jim), and Brent Newell. His grandchildren are Jason Bates (Amy), Alicia Long (Brandon), Christina Flohrs (Mike McBride), Tyler Hurley (Markessa), Samantha Washburn, Garret Powers. His great grandkids are Couper, Cannon & Carter Bates, Abby Florhs, and Austin Flohrs, and Taytum Long and step grandkids Shelby Castle (Louis), Mikey Brazeal, Lacey DeLatte, and Oklyn Newell.

The family asks that those of you who knew Ralph should go out and do something fun with your friends and loved ones. Raise a glass and make a toast to the most interesting man we’ve ever known.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Hurley family.